Free kids club says demand is high as cost of living crisis continues: "We won't turn anyone away"
Kids are also provided with a free lunch
As parents contend with the cost of living crisis throughout the summer holidays, an Essex charity running free activity clubs for children says they've had record interest.
YMCA Essex runs the clubs in conjunction with Active Essex, providing physical and enrichment activities and a healthy meal to children.
The clubs are open to children aged 5–11, who are eligible for benefits-based free school meals, as well as children from working families who also require additional support.
CEO Andy Drake says they've had enormous interest in the clubs this year, and that they're doing what they can to accommodate as many people as possible: "There's a lot of need.
"We've got one club at the moment that's got double the amount of children we thought it would have in.
"We're doing the best we can to cope - we've got some amazing staff and support. One of our partners, a local church in the community, has lots of volunteers who've said that if we get more children than we were planning, we won't turn any away and we will provide the funds ourselves to make sure everyone has really great food and a fun time.
"Similarly here at the YMCA, we'll make it work.
"We'll make whatever funds we've got stretch and we won't turn anyone away... as long as it's safe."
Andy told us why he thinks the clubs are so popular this year: "Some people are flying off on holiday, but, frankly, a lot of people can't afford to...
"We've got a lot of families and children for whom this holiday club is the best version of their summer, so there's a massive need to provide opportunities.
"They also, of course, need nutritional lunches which they might not be able to get otherwise and dynamic activities and interaction, which you might not get if your option is instead to play on an old PlayStation or see what's on Netflix or kick a ball against the wall by yourself or with a couple of friends.
"These camps are really needed and they're a great alternative to a lot of the other options that are out there."
The cost is also a draw to the charity's clubs: "Boy can paying for summer camps add up, especially if you've got more than one child. I don't know how people manage it... the great thing about our clubs is that they're free.
"Families can turn up, book online and they don't pay a thing. We have lots of incredibly grateful parents."